Comic-Con 2011: ‘Ringer’s’ Nestor Carbonell on ‘Lost,’ Eyeliner and Sarah Michelle Gellar

With hundreds of thousands of people attending San Diego Comic-Con every year and the July 20-24 event quickly approaching, The Hollywood Reporter chatted with the big names in television to discuss their favorite memories and tips for attending the annual event. THR’s Live Feed will talk Comic-Con with actors, writers and producers in the days leading up to the event so check back soon for interviews and the latest news on panels and screenings.

Nestor Carbonell
Geek Cred: Lost, The Dark Knight, The Tick
Upcoming: CW’s Ringer
Comic-Con panel: Ringer, Thursday, July 21, 1:45-2:25, Ballroom 20

THR: When was your first Comic-Con?
Carbonell: I think it was around 2001, I went to tag along with my wife [Shannon Kenny], who was doing Invisible Man and I got to take it in for the first time as a spectator. Although The Tick had a booth and I got to check that out.

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THR: Favorite Comic-Con memory?
Carbonell: I was invited to go with Lost for the final season. Wefilmed a sketch for Comic-Conahead of time based on online comments questioning if I wore eyeliner and we shot it in L.A. and played it as if I was backstage applying eyeliner and I came out onstage as if I were chasing the cameraman. We had a lot of fun with that.

THR: What’s the best thing a fan has said to you at Comic-Con?
Carbonell: Before it was revealed that my character on Lost had a troubled history, a fan came up to me and said, “Wow, you’re a really nice guy.” To me that was a compliment having played a very villainous guy.

Comic-Con 2011: Full THR Coverage

THR: What panel would you stand in line all day for?
Carbonell: Lost. I’m a fan of the show every aspect of that show was such a blessing. I would have lined up for The Dark Knight. Yeah, I’m plugging all the things I’ve been in! (Laughs.)

THR: What makes for a good panel?
Carbonell: Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse really put so much behind the Comic-Con presentations for the show. I’d encourage others to think about if you’re waiting in line if there’s any value in putting a video together to go along with it.

THR: Who would be on your dream panel?
Carbonell: Chris Nolan, Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg.

THR: What questions do you recommend fans not ask at panels?
Carbonell: The better questions would be to ask for anecdotes because those are the most memorable answers.

THR: What tips do you have for Comic-Con first-timers?
Carbonell: Soak it in and go to other panels.

THR: What panels are you looking forward to this year?
Carbonell: True Blood.

THR: If you were to dress up for Comic-Con, what would your costume be?
Carbonell: Captain Jack Sparrow — I wouldn’t need the eyeliner.

THR: The Ringer panel is already making headlines as Sarah Michelle Gellar’s first TV panel since Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Do you feel any additional pressure to deliver to her Buffy fan base?
Carbonell: She’s going to be terrific. I’m looking forward to seeing that and also to hearing people talk about Buffy, another amazing show.

THR: What can fans expect from Ringer?
Carbonell: What I love about it is the thriller aspect; it’s a serialized show. You’re going to get double Sarah Michelle Gellar and a lot of twists and turns. There’s a murder at the heart of this show and the mystery will continue throughout the series.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit